Alexandria Bay at a glance
Alexandria Bay sits on the St. Lawrence River in the Thousand Islands, across the water from Heart Island and Boldt Castle. Most visitors come for the boats. Heart Island can only be reached by water, and Singer Castle on Dark Island is also a boat trip. If you are still choosing between departure towns, start with our guide to Thousand Islands boat tours.
The village itself is small and walkable. It has shops and places to eat, and the waterfront is where the cruises board. Plan a half day for a boat tour and add time for the village before or after.
Things to do in Alexandria Bay
Boats come first, the village fills the rest of the day.
Take a boat tour
Several kinds of cruise leave from the village: the Two Nation tour, an evening cruise, a tour with a guided visit inside Singer Castle and dinner cruises. The table below compares them.
Visit Boldt Castle
The castle is on Heart Island, opposite the village. Castle entry and the boat ride are separate purchases. The Two Nation tour can end with an optional stop on the island while the castle is open.
Boldt Castle guide →See Singer Castle
The Singer Castle tour runs 3½ hours and includes a guided walk through the castle of about one hour. Admission to the castle is part of the fare.
Singer Castle guide →Walk the village
Alexandria Bay has shops and restaurants along the river. It is a good place for a meal before or after your boat.
Where to eat →Our pick: a Boldt Castle cruise
Boldt Castle on Heart Island sits across the water from the village, and this scenic cruise shows it from the river. It leaves from Ivy Lea in Ontario, and the 2-hour option adds Singer Castle.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Boat tours and day trips from Alexandria Bay
Cruises past the castles and through the islands, with live prices and open seats.
Boat tours from Alexandria Bay in 2026
Base fares for adults and children. Castle entry and booking fees can change the final price.
| Tour | Length | Adults | Children | Boldt Castle stop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Two Nation tour | 2¼ hours | $32 | $22.50 | Optional at the end, only while the castle is open; entry extra |
| Twilight cruise | 1½ hours | $21 | $14.50 | None |
| Singer Castle tour | 3½ hours | $50.75 | $34.25 | Optional at the end, in season; entry extra |
| Dinner cruise | – | $67.50 to $89 | – | – |
Children are ages 5 to 12, adults start at 13, and children up to 4 ride free. The Twilight cruise runs on selected dates from May to September and has time- and date-specific tickets. For most first-time visitors, the Two Nation tour is the usual choice: it covers American and Canadian waters in about two hours and can end at Heart Island. Choose the Singer Castle tour if you want to see the inside of a castle with a guide, and the Twilight cruise for an evening on the water.
Before you board
Small things that save time at the dock.
Book ahead
Booking sightseeing tours in advance is recommended. Special, lunch and dinner cruises must be reserved before you arrive.
Boarding and parking
Boarding starts 15 minutes before departure. The operator's parking lots at 45 James Street are free for its guests.
Passports
Tours that leave from the US shore and make no stop abroad need no passport or visa on the operator's terms. That does not cover a landing in Canada or an arrival in the US from abroad. Heart Island is a US port of entry, and border processing there runs from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Carry valid documents if you arrive from Canada.
Accessibility
Singer Castle is not wheelchair accessible and involves many stairs and a lot of walking.
Season and winter
The castles close earlier than the village does.
Boldt Castle ran from May 9 to October 12 in 2026, daily from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and its ticket desk closes one hour earlier. The next season is announced for May 8, 2027. Singer Castle took visitors until October 18, 2026, and not necessarily every day. Castle visits therefore end in mid-October. That does not mean the whole village closes, but individual businesses keep their own winter schedules, so check before a winter trip. See weather and the best time to visit for the seasons.
Boldt Castle on Heart Island
Admission, season and how the boat and castle tickets fit together.
Singer Castle on Dark Island
Guided visits and the boat trip from the village.
Thousand Islands boat tours
Departure towns, tour types and costs compared.
Clayton, NY
A river town with a boat museum and its own departures.
Alexandria Bay: frequently asked questions
What is there to do in Alexandria Bay?
Most visitors take a boat tour to Boldt Castle, Singer Castle or through the islands. The village has shops and restaurants along the river for the rest of the day.
How long are the boat tours?
The Twilight cruise takes 1½ hours, the Two Nation tour 2¼ hours and the Singer Castle tour 3½ hours. Dinner cruises vary.
Can I visit Boldt Castle in winter?
No. The castle is seasonal. The 2026 season ended on October 12, and the next one is announced for May 8, 2027.
Do I need a passport for a boat tour?
Tours from the US shore without a stop abroad need no passport or visa on the operator's terms. A landing in Canada or an arrival in the US from abroad needs the usual entry documents.
Is this the official Alexandria Bay website?
No. This is an independent travel guide and is not connected to the village, the castles or any tour operator.